Unlike Terms

The unlike terms not having the same literal coefficients.

For example:

(i) 5ab, 5a, 5ac are unlike terms because they do not have identical variables.

(ii) 11xy, 11x2y, 11xy2 are unlike terms.

(iii) 2x, 2y, 2m are unlike terms.


Now look at the terms of the following polynomials:

(i) 11a2b2 + 3ab2

We observe that two terms of the binomial (11a2b2 and 3ab2) have same variables raised to different powers. So, the binomial is made up of two unlike terms or dissimilar terms.


(ii) 7m2 - 2m + 10m3

We observe that the three terms of the trinomial have same variables (m) raised to different powers. So, the above trinomial is made up of three unlike or dissimilar terms.

(iii) 3x2 - 5xy + 7x2y

We observe that the three terms of the trinomial (3x2, 5xy and 7x2y) have different variables raised to different powers. So, the trinomial is made up of three unlike terms.


(iv) 11m3n3 - nm + 9m2 - 4m2n2

We observe that the four terms of the polynomials (11m3n3, nm, 9m2 and 4m2n2) have different variables raised to different power. The numerical coefficients are also different. So, the polynomials is made up of four unlike or dissimilar terms.

Examples to identify unlike or dissimilar terms:

Identify which pairs contain unlike terms in the following:

(i) 5ab, 7ab

(ii) 3x, 4x2

(iii) m, n

(iv) 2m2, 3m3

(v) 6a2b, 11ab2

(vi) –xy, 7yx


Solution:

(i) 5ab, 7ab

The terms 5ab and 7ab have same literal factors (ab) so this pair is a like term.


(ii) 3x, 4x2

The terms 3x and 4x2 have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.


(iii) m, n

The terms m and n have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.


(iv) 2m2, 3m3

The terms 2m2 and 3m3 have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.



(v) 6a2b, 11ab2

The terms 6a^2b and 11ab^2 have different literal factors so this pair is an unlike term.


(vi) –xy, 7yx

The terms –xy and 7yx have same literal factors (xy) so this pair is a like term.

Terms

Like and Unlike Terms

Like Terms

Addition of Like Terms

Subtraction of Like Terms

Adding and Subtracting Like Terms

Unlike Terms

Addition of Unlike Terms

Subtraction of Unlike Terms








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Worksheet on Like and Unlike Terms

Worksheet on Addition of Like Terms

Worksheet on Subtraction of Like Terms

Worksheet on Adding and Subtracting Like Terms

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Worksheet on Addition of Unlike Terms

Worksheet on Subtraction of Unlike Terms